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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by Tort Defenders’ writers and staff and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney.
Ozempic has been called the worst-kept secret in Hollywood as celebrities and influencers turn to this drug to lose weight. However, this isn’t just a medication for the rich and famous. People from all walks of life have started using Ozempic and similar injections to control their weight. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, reached a market value of $506 billion in 2024 because of demand for its products.
While Ozempic is considered a miracle drug by some, it may carry health risks that could have long-term effects on patients, like intestinal blockage and hypoglycemia. Experts worry that Novo Nordisk has downplayed these risks in the name of turning higher profits. Learn more about Ozempic, its harmful side effects, and why patients are speaking up about them.
What Is Ozempic?
Ozempic was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 to help people manage their type 2 diabetes. It is known generically as semaglutide and is a weekly injection that lowers blood sugar by encouraging the pancreas to produce more insulin. These drugs are known as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists.
Ozempic is not approved as a weight loss drug by the FDA. However, it is also known to cause weight loss. This has been the main driver of its popularity. Patients who have never received a diabetes diagnosis have started asking their doctors to prescribe Ozempic as a way to help them lose weight. This drug is used by people with high body mass indexes and celebrities who want red-carpet-ready bodies alike.
Can Ozempic Cause Stomach Paralysis?
GLP-1 agonists work in multiple ways. Along with encouraging the pancreas to increase insulin production, these drugs also slow digestion, making food stay in your stomach longer. This is what makes you feel full and avoid food when you are taking the medication. However, if your stomach slows down too much, it could fall into gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis is known as stomach paralysis and occurs when the nerves and muscles in your stomach stop working. The stomach cannot empty like it normally does so food sits there too long. Gastroparesis is uncomfortable in the short run and harmful in the long run. Hardened masses can build up in the stomach from food not draining and patients can experience constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain from the digestive distress.
Researchers are currently working to determine if there is a connection between stomach paralysis cases and Ozempic. The people most at risk for complications are patients who do not have type 2 diabetes but who take this type 2 diabetes medication for weight loss.
What Other Health Issues Are Associated With Ozempic?
Stomach paralysis isn’t the only health issue that people taking Ozempic may experience. The FDA required Ozempic and Wegovy to list ileus, the medical term for intestinal blockage, on its warning label. The FDA has received more than 8,500 complaints of gastrointestinal issues from people taking Ozempic or similar medications. Of those, 33 cases mention intestinal blockage, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Ozempic itself lists several potential health issues that can arise from taking this medication. These include:
- Stomach pain;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Constipation;
- Diarrhea.
Essentially, these drugs put your digestive system in an unstable and unpredictable state. Your body will respond to the changes in insulin and blood sugar levels as best as it can.
Who Has Been Named in Ozempic and Moujaro Lawsuits?
Jaclyn Bjorklund took Ozempic with the belief that it was a safe medication. She is currently suing Novo Nordisk for failing to warn her about potentially serious complications like gastroparesis. Novo Nordisk initially tried to get the case dismissed, saying the side effects were well-known. However, a federal judge upheld the claim and said it could move forward.
Bjorklund isn’t just seeking justice from Ozempic. She has also filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly, the maker of a similar drug called Mounjaro. Bjorklund has proposed combining the two lawsuits because they cover the same issues: product liability and drugmaker negligence. Novo Nordisk is in favor of combining the suit while Eli Lilly would prefer the cases remain separate. Representatives for Eli Lilly claim most of the cases are from patients who took Ozempic so it shouldn’t be liable for that company’s negligence.
Who Is Eligible for Ozempic and Mounjaro Lawsuits?
Patients who were prescribed Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or other similar drugs and subsequently developed stomach paralysis or other gastrointestinal issues qualify for a free case review and could join these lawsuits. So far, there have been more than 10,000 claims that patients using these drugs developed negative side effects and experienced potentially life-threatening health issues.
Filing an Ozempic Lawsuit
If you took Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or a similar medication and experienced severe health issues because of it, talk to an experienced lawyer to learn about your options. You may qualify to join a pre-existing lawsuit or file a suit separately from the other claims. A trusted lawyer will help you decide whether you qualify for one of these suits and help you develop a plan to move forward.
When companies mislead patients or fail to disclose potential issues, real people are harmed. By speaking up and telling your story, you can be a voice for other victims while potentially preventing others from going through the same distress because of unsafe medications.
Ozempic and Mounjaro Lawsuit Updates
One of the biggest updates regarding the Ozempic and Mounjaro lawsuits occurred in February 2024. There are currently at least 55 lawsuits against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for failing to warn patients about potential side effects. During a hearing on these cases, a U.S. Judicial Panel agreed to let a district judge oversee the cases as part of multidistrict litigation (MDL), which means he can make a single ruling that applies to several cases.
This is potentially good news for plaintiffs who could see justice faster. People who were harmed in case number 55 won’t have to wait for cases one through 54 to settle before they can have their day in court.
The cases against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly continue to evolve. The news that the defendants will be represented together and part of an MDL is potentially good for the victims of these drugmakers. Keep tracking the Ozempic and Mounjaro lawsuits and request compensation if you were harmed by one of these medications.